Arnie terminates driving and dialling

California introduces hands-free law

As The Terminator, Arnold Schwarzenegger was once seen engaging in all manner of automotive chaos, but as Governor of California, the former actor now wants to ensure that the state’s residents don’t drive and dial.

From today, California joins a number of other American states, including Connecticut, Illinois, Nebraska and New Jersey, in requiring drivers to use a hands-free kit if they want to talk on the phone while roaming the state's multi-lane roads.

The new law’s the result of Arnie’s September 2006 signature on Californian Senate Bill 1613, which has taken until today to come into force.

Unfortunately, a robotic woman in a red cat-suit won’t come running after you if she eyes you holding a mobile phone in one hand and the steering wheel in the other while driving your “Chevy”.

Instead, drivers could be issued with fines of between $20 and $50 (£25/€35). Drivers can still make emergency phone calls without using a Bluetooth headset, though.